this year's theme, sharing washington's good nature. >>> electric car technology is pushing the speed boundaries in racing. electric cars are clocking some pretty impressive numbers. jeff glor went for a ride. >> reporter: drag racing is a sport that's often fiery and loud. at least one. welcome to the track in the age of electric cars. >> we make about 400 horsepower in each power. >> reporter: john metric is the president of the national electric drag racing association. when you tell someone you drag race electric vehicles, what's their reaction? >> they go, wow, that's neat. >> reporter: but they don't take it seriously. >> no, until we tell them the time. teammates in texas have outfitted a 2002 mazda miata with 120 small lithium batteries, all electric power, zero gasoline, and they invited us to go along for the ride. you call this launching. >> yeah. launching like a rocket. >> reporter: an electric motor has full launching power the second it's turned on, crucial for acceleration. metric has never attempted this kind of race with someone in the passenger seat, and we went 0 t